When people ask us for food recommendations in Maine, we almost always respond with a long list of seafood restaurants. From lobster to oysters to clam shacks, there’s no shortage of food from the sea when you’re in Vacationland. While all of these will have you smiling in seafood bliss, it’s okay to visit and not eat seafood. Especially when we may have found the best mac and cheese in Maine!

The Side Street Cafe in Bar Harbor might look like any other fun, local restaurant and bar...
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They serve the ol' Maine favorites, including lobster rolls...
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...and crab cakes.
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But, the difference here lies in their ability to whip up the best mac and cheese you've ever had!
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They take their mac and cheese making so seriously that they've devoted an entire section of the menu to the dish.
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Including the lobster mac and cheese, which is known far and wide to be the best version of this staple comfort food.
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It features huge, meaty pieces of local lobster.
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Mixed with a creamy combination of cheeses.
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Another favorite is "Jeff's Mac & Cheese," the resturants's award-winning dish that's full of black beans, ham, onions, and jalapeños.
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You can even create your own concoction with ingredients like Jamaican Jerk Chicken, avocado and bacon.
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It's hard to go wrong with any of the mac and cheese versions available here, so you'll want to make sure to come back to try more than one.
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And, don't forget to order yourself a local beer...
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...or a cocktail, such as the blueberry, basil margarita.
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Side Street Cafe is open year-round, but things get much busier in the summer.
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You can call them one hour ahead of your arrival to reserve your place on the list for a table.
Side Street Cafe is located at 49 Rodick Street in Bar Harbor, Maine. You can call them on 207-801-2591. They’re open 11am to 9pm from Monday through Thursday and from 11am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Check them out online here.

Did you see this awesome steakhouse in Eustis? It might be a little out of the way, but it’s worth the trip. Especially if you’ve got a snowmobile.

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